THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER - Chapter 4 - Verse 16

Verse 16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian. Because he is a
Christian; if he is persecuted on account of his religion. This was
often done, and they had reason to expect that it might occur in
their own case. See Barnes "2 Pe 3:17".

On the import of the
word Christian, and the reasons why the name was given to the
disciples of the Lord Jesus, See Barnes "Ac 11:26".

Let him not be ashamed.

(1.) Ashamed of religion so as to refuse to suffer on account of it.

(2.) Ashamed that he is despised and maltreated. He is to regard his
religion as every way honourable, and all that fairly results from it in
time and eternity as in every respect desire able. He is not to be
ashamed to be called a Christian; he is not to be ashamed of the
doctrines taught by his religion; he is not to be ashamed of the Saviour
whom he professes to love; he is not to be ashamed of the society and
fellowship of those who are true Christians, poor and despised though
they may be; he is not to be ashamed to perform any of the duties
demanded by his religion; he is not to be ashamed to have his name cast
out, and himself subjected to reproach and scorn. A man should be ashamed
only of that which is wrong. He should glory in that which is right,
whatever may be the consequences to himself. Christians now, though
not subjected to open persecution, are frequently reproached by the
world on account of their religion; and though the rack may not
be employed, and the fires of martyrdom are not enkindled, yet it is
often true that one who is a believer is called to "suffer as a
Christian." He may be reviled and despised. His views may be regarded as
bigoted, narrow, severe. Opprobrious epithets, on account of his
opinions, may be applied to him. His former friends and companions may
leave him because he has become a Christian. A wicked father, or a gay
and worldly mother, may oppose a child, or a husband may revile a wife,
on account of their religion. In all these cases, the same spirit
essentially is required which was enjoined on the early Christian
martyrs. We are never to be ashamed of our religion, whatever results may
follow from our attachment to it. See Barnes "Ro 1:16".

But let him glorify God on this behalf. Let him praise God that he is
deemed not unworthy to suffer in such a cause. It is a matter of
thankfulness